Healthy Living: Heart disease can make wounds harder to heal

Heart Health Month is an important time to learn about the correlation between heart health and chronic wounds. Chronic wounds affect approximately 6.7 million people in the United States and can lead to a diminished quality of life and potential loss of an affected limb, not to mention the financial burden these wounds add to the health care system. The cost to treat these wounds exceeds $50 billion annually.

Coronary artery disease occurs when plaque within the walls of the arteries of the heart grows to the point that blood flow to the heart is compromised. This leads to diminished pumping of blood to the body and can lead to a heart attack. Peripheral arterial disease develops when the arteries beyond the heart that supply blood to the arms and legs become blocked with plaque.

Such diseases of the heart and blood vessels diminish the flow of blood and, therefore, oxygen and nutrition to chronic wounds, which is critical for proper healing. Decreased oxygen delivery can also make tissue susceptible to the development of a wound.

Diabetics are two times more likely to develop heart disease and are especially prone to developing plaque in the arteries. This, coupled with other factors associated with diabetes, contribute to poor wound healing. Diabetics who require an amputation because of their wound have a 50-percent mortality rate at five years. Because of this, chronic wounds in this population need prompt and diligent attention.

The signs of heart disease that should prompt medical evaluation are fatigue or feeling lightheaded, confusion or impaired thinking, chronic coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath while lying flat, or a buildup of fluid in the ankles or feet.

The best way to avoid these conditions is to keep your heart healthy by:

Living an active lifestyle with 30 minutes of exercise on a regular basis.Avoiding smoking or the use of tobacco of any kind.Maintaining a healthy weight.Ensuring quality sleep.Managing stress in a healthy way.Seeing your healthcare provider for regular screenings.

The old adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is particularly true when it comes to heart health and avoiding the complications of chronic wounds in terms of healthcare costs, and most importantly, in terms of quality of life.